Determining SNAP benefit amount Lawyer Manual

Use the online SNAP Calculator to determine eligibility.

• Deductions from gross income Income before taxes are taken out determine net income, Income after taxes have been taken out which is used to determine the amount of SNAP benefits. Units can take the following deductions from gross income:
• Earned income deduction. 20% of earned income is not counted.
• Standard deduction. A fixed dollar amount that reduces the income a person is taxed on. They have the option of claiming the standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. But, they can't claim both in the same year. All units receive a standard deduction of a fixed amount based on the unit’s size.
• Excess shelter deduction for families with high housing costs. This includes a utility allowance.
• Dependent A person who relies on another for support, such as a child or person with a disability care deduction for children or disabled adults for out-of-pocket child care costs when working or in school.
• Child support Money paid by a parent to help another parent support a minor child or an adult child with a disability payments when required by a support order.
• Medical expenses for Qualified Members.